Copy number variation-based polymorphism in a new pseudoautosomal region 3 (PAR3) of a human X-chromosome-transposed region (XTR) in the Y chromosome

A 3.5-Mb region of the X chromosome underwent duplication and transposition to the Y chromosome ~5–6 Mya. This X-transposed-region (XTR) originated at Xq21.3 and was inserted at Yp11.2. The two locations have 98.78 % homology and a high concentration of tandem repeats. In whole-genome scans of ten large families with dyslexic members, we identified transposed blocks comprising >102 kb of the Yp11.2 region in its homologous region at Xq21.3 in three females from three different families. Although recombination is known to be limited only to the pseudoautosomal regions (PARs) of the X and Y chromosomes, we report allelic unequal recombination between the XTR region Yp11.2 and Xq21.3, indicating the presence of a new PAR, which we named PAR3. This PAR3 region was also found in 2 % of the general population. An additional layer of justification could be provided from six other dyslexic cases which harbored duplications and deletions in the same Xq21.3 and Yp11.2 regions through allelic unequal recombination.     

An assessment of phospholipid methylation in sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum of the aging myocardium

The stepwise N-methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to phosphatidylcholine (PC) (phospholipid methylation) was assessed in cardiac sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum of aging rats. This phenomenon was depressed in aging hearts relative to young ones. A decrease in activity of catalytic sites appears to be involved in the depressed phospholipid methylation of aging myocardium.     

A Comprehensive Review of Animal Models for Coronaviruses: SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV,and MERS-CoV

The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease(COVID-19) caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) has already affected a large population of the world. SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the same family of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus(MERSCoV). COVID-19 has a complex pathology involving severe acute respiratory infection, hyper-immune response, and coagulopathy. At present, there is no therapeutic drug or vaccine approved for the disease. There is an urgent need for an ideal animal model that can reflect clinical symptoms and underlying etiopathogenesis similar to COVID-19 patients which can be further used for evaluation of underlying mechanisms, potential vaccines, and therapeutic strategies. The current review provides a paramount insight into the available animal models of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV for the management of the diseases.     

Responses of Corpuscles of Stannius to intra-peritoneal vitamin-D3 administration in teleost Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) reared in water with two different levels of calcium concentration

This study assessed the responses of vitamin-D₃ intraperitoneally injected to Rohu, Labeo rohita @ of 0 IU/kg bw (only solvent), 100 IU/kg bw and 500 IU/kg bw reared in 20 and 40 ppm of calcium (Ca) enriched water. The cellular changes in Corpuscles of Stannius (CS) gland, serum Ca, and inorganic phosphate (P_i) level were analysed up to the 60th day. Rohu administered with 100 IU/kg bw D₃ and exposed to 40 ppm Ca-rich water exhibited notable hyperplasia of CS compared with their control groups. Notable changes with high serum Ca level (13.87 ± 0.3 mg/dl) was detected on the 5th day in fish exposed to 40 ppm Ca-rich water, while related values attained (13.74 ± 0.1 mg/dl) only after 7 days in 20 ppm Ca-rich water of 500 IU/kg bw vitamin D₃ injection. Similarly, high serum P_i level (7.66 ± 0.2 mg/dl) in 40 ppm Ca injected with D₃ at 500 IU/kg bw. The results demonstrated that the Ca homeostasis of Labeo rohita is influenced by intra-peritoneal vitamin D₃. Progressive studies should be conducted by increasing the dose of vitamin D₃ to investigate optimum dose/supplement in feed for commercially important aquaculture teleost Labeo rohita for maximum and sustainable absorption of Ca from the variable water Calcium levels to maintain Ca²⁺ homeostasis.     

Poly ethylene glycol mediated in vitro screening and physico-biochemical changes induced in mango callus due to moisture stress

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - A method for in vitro screening and selection of drought (moisture stress) tolerant mango calli was developed. Poly ethylene glycol (PEG) (Molecular...     

Assessment of yield enhancement in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) by the pollinator sharing effect of magnetic bee-friendly plants in India

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that pollinator sharing among cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) and co-blooming magnetic bee-friendly plants facilitate higher productivity of cashew nuts. We examined the reproductive efficacy of cashew in three sites with distinct vegetation pattern (site I: sparsely distributed individuals, without association of co-blooming magnetic bee-friendly plant; site II: densely distributed individuals, without association of co-blooming magnetic bee-friendly plant; site III: densely distributed individuals, associated with co-blooming magnetic bee-friendly plants). Floral traits (including flowering time, flower architecture, number of flowers per panicle, hermaphrodite- male flower ratio, floral rewards, anthesis time and longevity of flower) does not differ among the study sites. According to the value of relative pollinator service (RPS), Apis dorsata was the primary pollinator of cashew and also shared by the co-blooming bee-friendly plants. The abundance of pollinators was the highest in site III and the lowest in site I. The nut yield was also significantly higher in site III cashew orchard which was in association with magnetic bee-friendly plants. Therefore, we can conclude that the association of co-blooming magnetic plants increased nut yield of cashew through the enhancement of pollinator's services.     

Microsatellite Analysis of Genetic Population Structure of Zebu Cattle (Bos indicus) Breeds from North-Western Region of India

The present study aims to understand the existing genetic diversity and structure of six native cattle breeds (Rathi, Tharparkar, Nagori, Mewati, Gir, and Kankrej) adapted to the north-western arid and semi-arid region of India based on microsatellite loci. Various diversity estimates, mean number of alleles (12.84); effective number of alleles (5.02); gene diversity (0.769), and observed heterozygosity (0.667) reflected the existence of substantial within-breed diversity in all the investigated cattle breeds. Mean estimates of F-statistics: F_IT = 0.144 ± 0.023, F_IS = 0.071 ± 0.021, and F_ST = 0.078 ± 0.014 were significantly different from zero (P < 0.05). The interbreed relationships indicated moderate level of breed differentiation between the six cattle breeds with least differentiation between Kankrej-Mewati pair. The phylogeny structuring further supported close grouping of Kankrej and Mewati breeds. Correspondence analysis plotted Rathi, Tharparkar, and Gir individuals into three separate areas of multivariate space; whereas, Kankrej, Mewati, and Nagori cattle showed low breed specific clustering. This reflected the existence of discrete genetic structure for Tharparkar, Rathi, and Gir, the prominent dairy breeds of the region; whereas, admixture was observed for Kankrej, Mewati, and Nagori individuals.     

Survivability of parthenogenetic embryos following in vivo transfer in naturally synchronized Capra hircus

The present study was conducted to see the in vivo developmental potency of caprine parthenogenetic embryos generated in a modified way. The good quality caprine oocytes were matured in presence of cytochalasin B (CCB) and then activated by 7% ethanol followed by 2 mM 6-dimethyl amino purine (6-DMAP) and embryo development was recorded. Early stage parthenogenetic embryos (two to four cells) were surgically transferred in recipients (10). The pregnancy diagnosis was done by nonreturn to oestrus, ultrasonography (USG), and progesterone estimation. The levels of progesterone were above normal values (1 ng/ml) of pregnancy and fall below the level of pregnancy just before retuned to oestrus. Progesterone profile revealed that out of ten recipients (G1–G10), four goats (G1, G2, G3, and G5) returned to oestrus after 43?±?7.29 (Mean?±?SE) d of embryo transfer and six goats (G4, G6, G7, G8, G9, and G10) did not return to cycle even after 70 d of embryo transfer. In three recipients (G4, G5, and G6), the USG on day 40 revealed that there was fluid filled uterine body with solid fetus-like structure. These might be dead fetus and had started resorption. The progesterone profile also corroborated the assumption of pregnancy in these animals. Authors believe that this may be the first report on in vivo diploid parthenogenetic embryo development in caprine species.     

MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND PROCESS OPTIMIZATION FOR SOLVENT EXTRACTION OF POLYPHENOLS FROM RED GRAPES USING BOX–BEHNKEN DESIGN

The objective of the present study is to find out the optimum extraction conditions for extraction of polyphenols from red grapes using Box–Behnken design. Red grapes polyphenols were extracted using acid–ethanol solvent at various extraction temperature (40–60°C), extraction time (20–100 min) and different solid–liquid ratio (1:5–1:15 g:ml). The effect (main and interactive) of extraction conditions on total anthocyanin, phenolic and flavonoid content were studied using Box–Behnken design (three factors at three levels). The results showed that the contribution of the quadratic model was significant for all the responses. Second-order mathematical regression models were developed and were found to fit well with observed data. Derringer's desirability function methodology was performed to find out the optimal conditions based on both individual and combinations of all responses (extraction temperature: 57°C, time: 61 min, and solid–liquid ratio: 1:8.7 g:ml) were established. At this optimal condition, the anthocyanin yield, total phenolic and flavonoid content were 73.92 mg/100 g, 221.4 mg GAE/100 g, and 79.08 mg CE/100 g, respectively. A desirability value of 0.902 was achieved at this point.